Subsurface well tool



Sept. 28, 1954 Filed Aug. 6, 1951 Mam 2 65 R. c. BA KER ETAL 2,690,225

SUB-SURFACE WELL TOOL 2 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 REUBEN E. BAKEQ,

V MAE 771v B CONQAD, INVENTOR.

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Patented Sept. 28, 1954 SUBSURFACE WELL TOOL Reuben C. Baker, Coalinga, and Martin B. Conrad, Downey, Calif., assignors to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Vernon, Calif., a corporation of California Application August 6, 1951, Serial No. 240,474

14 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to well apparatus, and more particularly to tools to be lowered and operated in bore holes.

Casing or wall engaging elements, such as friction drag springs, are relied upon in bore holes to resist movement of well tool parts, in order that movement of other parts relative thereto can be obtained. The wall engaging elements are effective in holding their companion parts relatively stationary in the bore hole, but in doing so, they tend to prevent rotation of a tubular string to which the well tool may be secured. When it is desired to remove the tool from the bore hole, extensive economies in time and money can be obtained if the tubular string portion in the hole can be rotated by the rotary table at the top of the bore, for the purpose of disconnecting the tubing sections as they are removed from the With drag springs, or equivalent elements, engaging the wall of the bore hole, or a tubular well conduit therein, rotation of the tubular string rotates such springs or elements around with it, causing damage to them and possibly to other well tool parts.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable a tubing string to be rotated through a plurality of revolutions in the well bore without correspondingly rotating the friction drag springs, or other wall engaging elements, forming part of the well tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide a releasable lock device in a subsurface well tool which utilizes friction drag elements, or the like, engaging the wall of a well conduit or well bore, for the purpose of shifting the lock device between locked and released positions, but in which the drag elements, or the like, are rendered ineffective to prevent or resist rotation of a tubular string to which the tool is'secured. In a more limited sense, the drag elements are uncoupled from the tubular string in one direction of rotation of the latter, but can be coupled to the tubular string when it is rotated in the opposite direction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a subsurface well tool incorporating an improved swivel connection between casing engaging slips or a packing structure and a friction drag or similar casing engaging device, to enable the slips or packing structure, or both, to be rotated without rotating the friction drag or similar device.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved safety releasing connection operable upon a set of casing engageable slips and a cooperable expander, in order to forcibly release the slips from the casing whenever necessary.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, parts being disclosed in elevation, through a well tool disposed in a well casing and with certain of its parts in retracted position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through a portion of the tool disclosed in Fig. 1, disclosing the slips expanded against the well casing and the lock portion of the tool in released position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, disclosing the tool anchored in packed-off condition within the well casing;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken along the line 4-4 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken along the line 5-5 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an isometric projection of the lock sleeve embodied in the well tool.

The well tool disclosed in the drawings is in the form of a packer A adapted to be run in a well casing B by means of a tubular string 0, and to be anchored in packed-01f condition therewithin. The well tool is of the retrievable type, which enables it to be withdrawn from the well casing B, or well bore, after it has served its desired purposes therewithin.

The well tool A includes a central tubular mandrel l0 having its upper end threaded into a collar H which is, in turn, threaded onto the lower end of the tubular running-in string C This mandrel extends throughout the length of the well tool, having a valve head l2 threaded on its lower end. This valve head is movable upwardly into engagement with the valve seat portion l3 of a lower abutment l4 forming part of a packing structure l5 disposed around the mandrel l0 and spaced therefrom to form an annular passage l6 through which fluids can flow. As specifically disclosed in the drawings, the

packing structure it? includes the abutment M, which is threaded onto the lower end of a tubular body il spaced outwardly from the exterior of the mandrel id to form the aiorenoted annular by-pass passage 18. A packing element it, which may be in the form of a rubber, or rubber-like, sleeve, surrounds the body ll, with its lower end resting upon the'lower abutment Hi. The upper end of the sleeve it engages an upper abutment is threaded on the lower end of the skirt portion of a tapered expander 2! havinga plurality of circumferentially spaced tapered surfaces 22 thereon that converge in an upward and inward direction. These surfaces are engaged by companion inner surfaces 23 on a plurality of slips 2 having upwardly facing wickers or teeth 25 for embedding in the wall of the well casing B, or similar well conduit. The slips 21 preferably have a slidable dove-tailed connection 26 with the expander 2i so as to be positively moved both to and from engagement with the well casing 13.

The tapered expander ii is rotatably connected to the mandrel ill by a safety device 27, which operates to forcibly retract the slips 2 t from engagement with the casing 13, in the event the slips are not retractable merely as a result of lowering the expander 2| with respect thereto. This safety device includes a sleeve 23 slidable on the mandrel it, its lower portion being provided with an external thread 2% engaging a companion internal thread 3!! formed in the expander 2%. The threaded connection 29, 3G is preferably left-hand; so that right-hand rotation of the threaded sleeve 28 will effect its upward movement with respect to the expander 25. The rotatable connection between the mandrel It and the threaded sleeve 28 is provided by one or more longitudinally extending keys 3! in the mandrel iii slidable within one or more longitudinally extending keyways 32 in the threaded sleeve 28. The keys 3! are relatively long, being provided with foot portions 33 receivable within a counterbore 34 in the upper portion of the packer body ll, and adapted to engage a body shoulder 35 formed by the lower end of such 1 counterbore 34.

The upper portion of the body H is also formed with an outwardly extending shoulder Bil adapted to rest upon the upper abutment it when the packing sleeve 18 is in retracted position. As stated above, the body ll is spaced from the mandrel Ill to provide the by-pass passage 26, which extends from a point below the packing structure is, and which also extends into the skirt portion 20 of the expander 25, opening outwardly of the latter through the side outlet ports iii to a point or location above the packing struc ture Hi. It is apparent that when the valve head 52 is in a lower position, spaced from its companion valve seat it, as disclosed in Fig. l, the by-pass passage i6 is open, whereas movement of the valve head 12 upwardly into engagement with the valve seat It will close the by-pass passage It. In order to prevent leakage through the valve device, a suitable seal ring 38 may be disposed in a ring groove 39 in the seat is for engagement with the upper tapered portion it of the valve head 52. A seal ring M may also be embodied in the valve head l2, engaging the mandrel Ill to prevent fluid leakage through the threaded connection between the valve head l2 and mandrel l6.

Longitudinal movement of the slips 2 8 is resisted by a drag device 42 connected thereto through a swivel 53, which permits the slips 2 3 to be rotated without correspondingly rotating the drag device. The swivel 13 includes an upper lateral, outwardly extending lug or flange on each slip 24- slidable within an internal circumferential groove d5 formed in a tie ring This tie ring has a lower inwardly directed circumferential flange 4'! forming its lower end, which extends within grooves or slots 48 in the slips provided between the slip lugs '44 and the main body of the slips therebelow. The lugs 4d and tie ring flange 47, in effect, form interlocking elements causing the slips 24 to move with the tie ring -5-6 when the latter is shifted upwardly, whereas the main body of the tie ring 46 above the groove l5 engages the upper surfaces of the slip lugs i l to move the slips downwardly with the tie ring The outer ends Ma of the slip lugs id are initially spaced inwardly to a substantial extent from the base of the circumferential groove 53, in order to allow radial outward movement of the slips 2d when they are to be shifted into engagement with the casing wall.

Iihe tie ring it forms part of the friction drag device 32 tending to resist longitudinal movement of the slips 2 1. The lower ends of outwardly bowed springs it are suitably secured to the lower portion of a drag and cover sleeve the tie ring 56 encompassing such lower ends to prevent the springs from becoming disconnected from the sleeve 5d. Screws 5! extend through the tie ring (it, and are threaded into the drag sleeve 59 to hold the ring in assembled position on the latter. The upper ends of the springs 49 are suitably attached to an upper drag collar 52 slidable on the mandrel iii, the ends of the springs being prevented from becoming disconnected from the upper drag collar by an encompassing ring 53 and screws 5% passing therethrough and threaded into the upper drag collar 52.

The well packer A is actuated mechanically by I moving the tubular mandrel ill to effect expansion and retraction of the slips E i and packing element It to and from engagement with the wall of the well casing B. The ability of the mandrel E0 to so move the expansible and retractable elements 24, I8 is dependent upon the locked or unlocked position of a lock device 55 provided between the mandrel H] and the drag device 62. This lock device 55 may include a lock pin 56 threaded, or otherwise suitably secured, to the mandrel l0 and extending into a J slot 5'5 formed in a lock sleeve 58, and also between the latter and the lower portion of the drag sleeve 5d. The lock sleeve 53 is rotatable on the mandrel and may also rotate with respect to the drag sleeve 56 in one direction, but is prevented from rotating when moved in the opposite direction, as explained hereinafter.

The lock sleeve slot 5! is composed of a longitudinal or vertical leg portion Eila that terminates at the end of the sleeve 58, which is in abutting relation to a shoulder 5% formed in the lower portion of the drag sleeve The longitudinal leg portion 51a merges into a horizontal or transverse foot locking portion fill: extending circumferentially part way around the sleeve 5%. This locking portion 51b of the J slot Si is defined between a transverse surface til of the lock sleeve 58, which is spaced upwardly from its lower terminus 6i, and the shoulder 59. The longitudinal and transverse portions Ela, Eilb of the slot are sufficient in width to allow movement of the mandrel lock pin 56 therein.

As stated. above, the lock sleeve '58 can rotate within the drag sleeve 5i) in one direction, but is precluded from rotating therein in the other direction, Since the lock portion S'Ibof the J slot 5i extends in a right-hand or clockwise rotary direction from the longitudinal leg 51a of the slot, it is preferred to allow the lock sleeve 58 to rotate in a clockwise or right hand direction, as viewed when looking downwardly from the top of the well bore. In order to operatethe lock device 55, the sleeve 58 is to be prevented from rotating when urged in the opposite or counter-clockwise direction.

- To so control the operation of the lock sleeve 58, a one-way coupling or brake device is provided between the lock sleeve '58 and the drag or cover sleeve 50. This one-way brake, as disclosed in the drawings, consists'of a helical spring 52 disposed around the reduced diameter upper portion es of the lock sleeve 58, with its upper end 645 free from attachment to any part; The spring 62 is wound around the lock sleeve portion (53 in the manner of a right-hand thread, with its lower end 55 being secured to the sleeve 58, as by forming it of generally U-shape, with the base portion 56 of the U extending through a longitudinal slot 5'5 in a sleeve flange 68, which merges into a circumferential groove 69 in the lock sleeve 58 provided immediately below the flange 68. One leg Ill of the U-shaped portion 65 of the spring is disposed in the circumferential groove 69.

In order to prevent any harmful foreign substances for entering the drag sleeve 59, its upper end may be closed by a suitable cover or cap H threaded thereon and having a groove 12 containing an elastic seal or wiper ring 13 slidably engageable with the periphery of the mandrel It.

The exterior portions of the spring 62 frictionally engage the inner wall 50a of the drag sleeve 51? relatively lightly. When the lock sleeve 58 is turned in a clockwise or right-hand direction, the spring 62 is moved out of engagement with the inner wall 50a of the drag sleeve 58, thereby uncoupling the lock sleeve 58 from the latter. However, any tendency to rotate the lock sleeve 58 in the opposite direction tends to expand the spring 52 and urges it with substantial friction force against the drag sleeve 50, effectively locking the lock sleeve 58 to the drag sleeve 55, and preventing reverse or counter-clockwise rotation of the lock sleeve 58, because of the frictional restraint imposed by the drag springs 49 as a result of their frictional engagement with the wall of the well casing B.

In operating the apparatus A, it is lowered in the well casing with the parts occupying the positions illustrated in Fig. 1. When in this position, the mandrel I8 is disposed in a lower position relative to the other parts, because of the disposition of its in 55 within the transverse foot portion 51b of the J slot 5?. This pin engages the shoulder portion 59 of the drag sleeve 58 to urge the drag device A2 downwardly through the well casing B. At the same time, the lower ends 33 of the keys 3! are engaging the body shoulder 35, to shift the body I! downwardly, and, because of the engagement of the external body shoulder 35 with the upper abutment IS, the tapered expander 2i and the slips 24 are also urged downwardly in the well casing. At this time, also, the valve head I2 is spaceddownwardly from its companion seat 53 to open the by-pass passage is and allow fluid to flow upwardly therethrough, passing through the valve seat It and annular passage l6 and out through the outlet ports 37. At the same time, fluid is also flowing aroundthe exterior of the packing 6 element, t8 and the-other :parts of the packer apparatus.

When the location in the well casing B is reached at which the packer A is to be anchored inpacked-ofi condition, the tubular string C is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, or to the left, shifting the pin 56within the foot portion 5'ib of the slot 51 toward the longitudinal slot leg 51a until the pin engages the right wall 570 of the slot, as seen in the drawings. Any tendency for the lock sleeve 58 to move in a counter-clockwise direction is prevented by the expanding and braking action of the one-way brake orclutch spring 62 against the inner wall tea of the drag sleeve 50. Thus, the lock sleeve '58 iscoupled to the drag sleeve and is'prevented from moving in a counter-clockwise or left-hand direction by the engagement of the friction drag springs 59 against the wall of the well casing B.

In the event the turning force of the mandrel it exceeds the friction force of the springs against the casing the springs and drag sleeve will be rotated, but such turning force need not be exerted merely to locate the pin 56 in the longi tudinal leg 57a of the slot.

When the lock pin 56 engages the right wall illc of the longitudinal slot leg 5711, the tubular mandrel 1 El can be elevated to set the packer parts against the well casing. During the first portion of the elevating movement, the valve head i2 engages the valve seat l3, to close the by-pass passage l6. Continued elevation of the mandrel 56 then moves the packing structure [5 upwardly with it, and also the tapered expander 2| upwardly within the slips 24, which are prevented from moving upwardly by the engagement of the drag springs 49 against the well casing-B. Such upward movement is-permitted, because of the upward shifting of the mandrel lock pin 56 within the longitudinal leg 51a. of the J slot Ell. The upward movement of the expander 2i within the slips 24 urges the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B. As a result of such engagement, the expander 25 cannot be shifted upwardly to any further extent by the packing structure l5. Accordingly, continuation of the upward movement of the mandrel It then moves the lower abutment is toward the upper abutment IS, fore-shortening the rubber packing sleeve I? and expanding it outwardly into firm sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing B. During this continued upward movement, the lock pin 55 can continue to move upwardly within the lock sleeve 53, in

view of the length of the longitudinal leg portion 51a of the J slot 57. When the pin 56 is located in the leg portion 5la of the J slot, the lock device 55 is, in effect, in unlocked condition.

The necessary operation may now be performed with the well packer A in the well casing B. Fluid under pressure may be pumped down through the tubular string C and through the tubular mandrel ID, in order to test the casing; or cement slurry, synthetic resin or a suitable acid may be pumped through the apparatus for displacement through the casing, or for disposition in the casing below the tool. After the operation in theweil casing has been performed, the tool A may be cleaned by lowering the mandrel Hi; to shift the valve head l2 downwardly from its companion seat 13, opening the by-pass i 6 and allowing fluid to be pumped the long way down through the tubular string C and mandrel [IL-the fluid thenflowing upwardly through the by-pass l5 and the annular space between the tubular string C and well casing B. If desired, the fluid may be pumped the short way down through the last-mentioned annular space, the fluid passing through the ports 31 into the by-pass passage [6, and around the head [2, flowing upwardly through the tubular mandrel it and tubular string C to the top of the well bore.

a A continuation of the lowering movement of the tubular mandrel It will cause the lower ends 33 of the keys 3! to engage the body shoulder 35, shifting the lower abutment it further away from the upper abutment I9 and allowing the rubber packing sleeve it to retract from the Well casing B. When the external body shoulder 36 engages the upper abutment [9, it will shift the tapered expander 2| downwardly with respect to the slips 2%, retracting the latter from the well casing B, because of the dovetailed interconnection 25 between the slips and expander. When the slips 2:3 have been fully retracted, the mandrel pin 56 is at the lower end of the longitudinal portion Ella of the J slot 5 whereupon the tubular string C and mandrel Hi can be rotated to the right, to reposition the pin in the transverse foot portion 57b of the slot, thereby looking all of the parts in retracted position.

The tool A may now be elevated in the well casing. If it is desired to rotate the running-in string C to disconnect the tubing sections above the rotary table at the top of the well bore, the table can be rotated in a right-hand or clockwise direction, to correspondingly rotate the runningin string C and the tubular mandrel Ill. The pin 58 will engage the end 5711 of the horizontal slot portion Ella, to rotate the lock sleeve 58 in a right-hand direction around with the mandrel it. Such rotation, however, does not rotate the drag sleeve 53 and the drag device 32 since the brake or coupling spring 62 is wound slightly inwardly to retract it from having any material friction engagement with the drag sleeve 58. Accordingly, the latter and the drag springs 49 attached thereto remain stationary, and do not interfere with the rotation of the tubular mandrel It and the tubular string C attached thereto. Because of the key and slot connection 3!, 32 between the mandrel It and the threaded sleeve 28, the tapered expander 2i, packing structure l5 and slips El i are also rotated around with the mandrel 10. However, the swivel connection 43 between the slips 2 and the drag device 42 allows rotation of the slips 2 without rotating the drag device, and, since the slips have been retracted from the well casing B, they do not ofier any resistance to rotation of the parts referred to.

Accordingly, it is evident that the lock device 55 holds the slips 24 and packing structure l5 in retracted positions, and that it also allows the tubular mandrel Ill and other well tool parts to be rotated in a right-hand or clockwise direction without correspondingly rotating the drag device Because of the ability to rotate the tubular string C through a plurality of revolutions, removal of the tool A from the well bore is expedited, with consequent extensive savings in time and money.

In the event the action of lowering the tubular mandrel All is incapable of shifting the tapered expander 2i downwardly to retract the slips as from the casing B, the mandrel Hi can be rotated in a clockwise direction, or to the right, to forcibly secure retraction of the slips. Since the slips 24 are firmly anchored to the casing B, the expander 21 is prevented from rotating. Rotation of the mandrel It, therefore, rotates the safety sleeve 28, because of the key and slot interconnection 3|, 32. Since the safety sleeve 28 issecured to the expander 2| by means of a left-hand threaded connection 29, 30, rotation of the safety sleeve 28 to the right causes it to unscrew upwardly from the expander 2|, until the upper end 28a of the sleeve engages the lower end of the drag sleeve 50, which is firmly attached to the tie ring 46. Continued rotation of the mandrel in then exerts an upward force on the tie ring it, because of the abutting of the upper end 28a of the safety sleeve 28 with the lower end of the drag sleeve 50. At the same time, the safety sleeve 28 is exerting a downward force on the expander 21, because of their threaded interconnection 29, 36. Accordingly, the exertion of suflicient torque on the tubularrunning-in string C and mandrel ill will, in effect, eventually jack the expander 2| and slips 24 in directions away from each other, to forcibly retract the slips 24 from the well casing B.

During such rotation of the safety sleeve 28, the lock pin 56 is disposed in the longitudinal leg portion 51a of the J slot 51. However, such rotation will still fail to rotate the drag springs 59 around the wall of the casing B, since the pin 56 will engage the left wall the of the longitudinal slot 5'? and rotate the lock sleeve 58 around with the mandrel I9. During such rotation, the oneway brake spring 62 is retracted from the drag sleeve 50, to effect an uncoupling of the lock sleeve 58 from the latter.

It is, accordingly, apparent that a well tool apparatus A has been provided that enables the tubular string C to be rotated through a plurality of revolutions without correspondingly rotating the drag device Q2. The one-way brake S2 locks the lock sleeve 53 to the drag device 50 whenever the lock pin 55 on the mandrel i0 is to be moved ar-cuately with respect to the lock sleeve toward a releasing direction. Movement of the mandrel ii] and lock pin 55 in the opposite rotary direction, however, automatically uncouples the lock sleeve 53 from the dra devic 42. When it is necessary to rotate the slips 24, such rotation can occur without interference from the drag device d2, because of the swivel connection 33 therebetween. Moreover, in the event the tool becomes stuck in the well bore, the slips 2% can be forcibly released, merely by rotating the mandrel portion In of the tool, and such release can occur without rotating the drag device d2 around the wall of the well casing B.

W claim:

1. A well tool including a first member connectible to a runnnig-in string, a second member, said members being rotatable with respect to each other, releasable lock means operatively connected between said members to selectively couple said members for longitudinal movement together or uncouple said members from each other to allow relative longitudinal movement therebetween, and one-way coupling means operatively connected between said lock means and one of said members to connect said lock means and said one of said members together to prevent their relative rotation in one direction and to disconnect said lock means and said one of said members from each other to permit their relative rotation through a plurality of revolutions in the opposite direction.

2. A well tool including a first member connectible to a running-in string, a second member, said members being rotatable with respect to each other, releasable lock means operatively connected between said members to selectively couple said members for longitudinal movement together orunc'ouple said members-irom ea'ch other to allow relative longitudinal movement therebetween, and one-way coupling means operativel connected between saicllock means and said second member to connect said lock means andsaid second member together to-prevent their relative rotation in one-directionand to disconnect said lock means and said second member from each other to permit their relative rotation through a plurality of revolutions m -the opposite direction.

3. A well tool including --a first member" GOD:- nectible to a running-in string, a second member, said members bein rotatable with respect to each other, releasable loch means'operatively connected between said members to selectively couple said members for longitudinal movement together or uncouple said members from each other to allow relative longitudinal movement therebetween, means on said second member engageable with a well casin to resist rotation of said second member therewithin, and one-way coupling means operatively connected between said lock means and one of said members to connect said loch means and saidone of said members together to prevent their relative rotation in one direction and to disconnect said lock means and said one of said members from each other to permit their relative rotation through a plurality of revolutions in the opposite direction.

a. A well tool including a first member connectihle to a running-in string, a second memher, said members being rotatable 'with respect to each other, releasable lock means operatively connected between said members to selectively couple said members for longitudinal movement together or uncouple said members from each other to allow relative longitudinal movement therebetween, means on said second member engageable with a well casing to resist rotation of said second member therewithin,- and one-way coupling means operatively connected between said loci: means and said second member to connect said lock means and said second member together to prevent their relative rotation in one direction and to disconnect said lock means and said second member from each other to permit their relative rotation through a plurality of revolutions in the oppositie direction.

5. A well tool including a first member connectible to a running-in string, a second member surrounding said first member, said first and second members being rotatable with respect to each other, a third member between said first second members, releasable lock means operatively connected between said third member and one of said other two members to selectively couple said first and second members for longitudinal movement together or uncouple said first and second members from each other to allow relative longitudinal movement therebetween, and one-way coupling means operatively connected between said third member and the other of said two members to connect said third member and said other of said two members together to prevent their relative rotation in one direction and to disconnect said third member and said other of said two members from each other to permit their relative rotation through a plurality of revolutions in the opposite direction.

6. A. well too]. including a first member connectible to a running-in string, a second member surrounding said first member, said first and second members bein rotatable with respect to each other, a third member between said first and second members, releasable lock means op- 10 eratively connected between said first and third members to selectively couple said first and second members for longitudinal movement together or uncouple said first and second members from eachother to allow relative longitudinal movement therebetween, meanson said second member' engageable with a well casing to resist r0- tation of said second member therewithin, and one-way coupling means operatively connected between saidthird member and second member to connect said third member and second memb togetherto prevent their relative rotation in one direction a'nd to disconnect said third member and saidsecond member from each other to permit their relative rotation through a-plurality 0f revolutions in the opposite direction.

'7. we'll tool including an inner member connectibleto a running-in string, an outer annular member surrounding said inner member, said inner and outer members being rotatable with respect to each other, an annular look member between said inner and outer members, releasable lock means operatively connected between said inner member and lock member to selectively couple said inner and outer members for longitudinal movement together or uncouple said inner and outermembers from each other to allow relative longitudinal movement therebetween, and and a one way coupling element engageable with said lock member and outer member to connect said lock member and outer member together to prevent their relative rotation in one direction and to disconnect said outer member and look member from each other to permit their relative rotation through a plurality of revolutions in the opposite direction.

8. A well tool including a tubular mandrel connectible to a running-in string, an outer sleeve surrounding said mandrel, said mandrel and outer sleeve being rotatablewith respect to each other, an inner sleeve surrounding said mandrel within said outer sleeve, releasable lock means operatively connected between said inner sleeve and mandrel to selectively couple said mandrel and inner sleeve for longitudinal movement together or uncouple said mandrel and inner sleeve from each other to allow relative longitudinal movement therebetween, and a one-way coupling element operatively connected between said inner sleeve and outer sleeve to connect said inner and outer sleeves together to prevent their relative rotation in one direction and to disconnect said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve from each other to permit their relative rotation through a plurality oi revolutions in the opposite direction.

9. A well tool including a tubular mandrel connectible to a running-in string, an outer sleeve surrounding said mandrel, said mandrel and outer sleeve being rotatable w th respect to each other, an inner sleeve surrounding said mandrel within said outer sleeve, releasable lock means operatively connected between said inner sleeve and mandrel to selectively couple said mandrel and inner sleeve for longitudinal movement together or uncouple said mandrel and inner sleeve from each other to allow relative longitudinal movement therebetween, means on said outer sleeve engageable with a well casing to resist rotation of said outer sleeve therewithin, and a one-way coupling element op-eratively connected between said inner sleeve and outer sleeve to connect said inner and outer sleeves together to prevent their relative rotation in one direction l and to disconnect said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve from each other to permit their relative rotation through a plurality of revolutions in the opposite direction.

10. A well device, including a rotatable mandrel, an expander surrounding said mandrel, means cooperable with said expander for anchoring said device in a well casing, a sleeve within said expander, means for transmitting the rotary motion of said mandrel to said sleeve, and means connecting said sleeve to said expander whereby rotation of said sleeve by said mandrel with respect to said expander is adapted to eilect relative longitudinal movement between said sleeve and expander, and means on said sleeve for transmitting such longitudinal movement to said anchoring means to forcibly move said anchoring mean and expander relative to each other in longitudinal directions away from each other to retract said anchoring means from anchoring engagement with the well casing.

11. A well device,.including a rotatable mandrel, an expander surrounding said mandrel, means cooperable with said expander for anchoring said device in a well casing, a sleeve threadedly secured to said expander to rotate within said expander into engagement with said anchoring means to forcibly move said anchoring means and expander relative to each other in longitudinal directions away from each other torretract said anchoring means from anchoring engagement with the well casing, and means for transmitting the rotary motion of said mandrel to said sleeve.

12. A well tool having relatively movable parts, means for controlling longitudinal movement of said parts with respect to one another, including a first member connectible to a running-in string and attached to one of said parts, a second member attached to another of said parts, releasable lock means operatively connected between said members to selectively couple said members for longitudinal movement together or uncouple said members from each other to allow relative longitudina1 movement therebetween and one-way coupling means between said lock means and one of said members to connect said lock means and said one of said members together to prevent their relative rotation in one direction and to disconnect said lock means and said one of said members from each other to permit their relative rotation through a plurality of revolutions in opposite directions, wherein said one-way coupling means comprises a helical spring engageable with said lock means and one of said members.

13.A well tool as defined in claim 7, wherein said one-way coupling means comprises a helical sprin connected to said lock member and frictionally engageable with said outer member.

14. A well device, including a rotatable mandrel, an expander surrounding said mandrel, means cooperable with said expander for anchoring said device in a well casing, a sleeve threadedly secured to said expander to rotate within said expander into engagement with said anchoring means to forcibly move said anchoring means and expander relative to each other in longitudinal directions away from each other to retract said anchoring means from anchoring engagement with the well casing, and means for transmitting the rotary motion of said mandrel to said sleeve, comprising a key on said mandrel slidable in a keyway in said sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,248,211 Young July 8, 1941 2,323,989 Fulkerson July 13, 1943 2,368,400 Baker Jan. 30, 1945 2,368,401 Baker Jan. 30, 1945 2,442,121 Earley May 25, 1948 

